Method and apparatus for mounting a battery and a speaker in an information handling system

ABSTRACT

A battery and speaker mounting apparatus includes a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a support surface on the base member, and a speaker chamber defined by the base member and separated from the battery socket by the support surface. A speaker module may be mounted in the speaker chamber, and a battery may be coupled to the battery socket.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for mounting a battery and a speaker in an information handling system.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

Conventional information handling systems typically include a CMOS battery and an on-board speaker. The coupling of the CMOS battery and the on-board speaker to the information handling system raise a number of issues.

The CMOS battery is typically coupled to the information handling system by a battery socket which is mounted to the information handling system circuit board. The battery socket takes up a relatively large amount of space on the circuit board in order to provide the minimal function of securing the battery to the information handling system.

Typical on-board speakers used with conventional information handling systems require high powered drive circuitry, take up a large amount of space on the circuit board, and can be expensive.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide method and apparatus for mounting a battery and a speaker in an information handling system absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a battery and speaker mounting apparatus is provided that includes a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a support surface on the base member, and a speaker chamber defined by the base member and separated from the battery socket by the support surface.

A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the battery and the speaker may be mounted together in one mounting apparatus, saving space in the information handling system and allowing a less expensive speaker to be used in the information handling system that requires less power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a battery and speaker mounting apparatus.

FIG. 2 b is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 2 c is a cut-away perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 a is a top perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a battery used with the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 b is a bottom perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the battery of FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a speaker used with the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a circuit board used with the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the speaker of FIG. 4 coupled to the the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of speaker and the battery and speaker mounting apparatus of FIG. 6 coupled to the circuit board of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the battery of FIG. 3 a coupled to the battery, the battery and speaker mounting apparatus, and the circuit board of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

In one embodiment, information handling system 10, FIG. 1, includes a microprocessor 12, which is connected to a bus 14. Bus 14 serves as a connection between microprocessor 12 and other components of computer system 10. An input device 16 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide input to microprocessor 12. Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device 18, which is coupled to microprocessor 12. Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system 10 further includes a display 20, which is coupled to microprocessor 12 by a video controller 22. A system memory 24 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor 12. In an embodiment, a chassis 26 may house some or all of the components of the information handling system 10. It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor 12 to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c, a battery and speaker mounting apparatus 100 is illustrated. Battery and speaker mounting apparatus 100 includes a substantially cylindrical base member 102 having a top support surface 102 a, a bottom edge 102 b located opposite the top surface 102 a, and a side 102 c located about the circumference of the base member 102 and extending between the top support surface 102 a and the bottom edge 102 b. A guide wall 104 a extends up from the side 102 c and the top support surface 102 a of the base member 102 and includes a plurality of securing tabs 104 b and 104 c extending out from the guide wall 104 and substantially parallel to the top support surface 102 a of the base member 102. A plurality of resilient coupling tabs 106 a and 106 b extend from the top support surface 102 a of the base member 102 and are positioned in a spaced apart relationship from each other and on an opposite side of the top support surface 102 a as the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c. An electrical coupler 108 a is positioned on the top support surface 102 a and located between the resilient coupling tabs 106 a and 106 b. Electrical coupler 108 a is coupled to a battery pin 108 aa which extends from the bottom edge 102 b of the base member 102 and electrical coupler 108 a includes a distal end 108 ab which is biased upward from the top support surface 102 a of base member 102. An electrical coupler 108 b is positioned adjacent the guide wall 104 a and located between the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c. Electrical coupler 108 b is coupled to a battery pin 108 ba which extends from the bottom edge 102 b of the base member 102 and electrical coupler 108 b includes a plurality of arms 108 bb and 108 bc which are biased away from the guide wall 104 a and are located adjacent the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c, respectively. In an embodiment, the top support surface 102 a, the guide wall 104 a, the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c, the resilient coupling tabs 106 a and 106 b, and the electrical couplers 108 a and 108 b provide a battery socket on the base member 102. In an embodiment, the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c and the resilient coupling tabs 106 a and 106 b provide a plurality of battery coupling members operable to couple a battery to the battery socket.

A substantially cylindrical speaker chamber 110 is defined by the base member 102, located beneath the top support surface 102 a, and bounded by the side 102 c. A speaker mounting lip 112 extends from a inner surface of the base member 102 into the speaker mounting chamber 110 and about the circumference of the speaker mounting chamber 110. A plurality of vent apertures 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d, 114 e, 114 f, and 114 g are defined by the base member 102 and are positioned in a spaced apart relationship adjacent the bottom edge 102 b of the base member 102 and about the circumference of the base member 102. The plurality of vent apertures 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d, 114 e, 114 f, and 114 g extend from the outer surface of side 102 c, through the base member 102, and to the speaker chamber 110. An electrical coupling 116 a is mounted to the base member 102, positioned between vent apertures 114 f and 114 g, extends into the speaker chamber 110, and is coupled to a speaker pin 116 aa. An electrical coupling 116 b is mounted to the base member 102, positioned between vent apertures 114 c and 114 d, extends into the speaker chamber 110, and is coupled to a speaker pin 116 ba. In an embodiment, the positioning of the of the battery socket and speaker chamber 110 may be reversed such as, for example, by providing a base member 102 including a battery socket with the speaker chamber 110 positioned above the battery socket.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, a battery 200 is illustrated. Battery 200 is substantially circular and includes a top surface 200 a, a bottom surface 200 b located opposite the top surface 200 a, and a side surface 200 c extending between the top surface 200 a and the bottom surface 200 b and around the circumference of the battery 200. An insulator 202 is positioned on the bottom surface 200 b and about the circumference of the battery 200 and, in an embodiment, separates a positive terminal of the battery 200, which is located on the top surface 200 a and side surface 200 c, from a negative terminal on the battery 200, which is located on the bottom surface 200 b. In an embodiment, the battery 200 may include a variety of conventional batteries known in the art such as, for example, a CMOS battery.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a speaker module 300 is illustrated. Speaker module 300 is substantially circular and includes an annular speaker mount 302 which is located about the circumference of speaker module 300. Speaker mount 302 includes a top surface 302 a and a side surface 302 b extending from the top surface 302 a and about the circumference of the speaker mount 302. Speaker mount 302 has a diameter that is substantially equal or slightly less than the diameter of the speaker chamber 110, illustrated in FIG. 2 c. A speaker 304 is coupled to the speaker mount 302 about the circumference of the speaker 304 and is centrally located on the speaker module 300. A plurality of speaker leads 306 a and 306 b are electrically coupled to the speaker 304. In an embodiment, the speaker module 300 may be a variety of conventional speakers known in the art such as, for example, a piezo speaker which uses ⅕ to 1/10 the current required for conventional speakers and does not require the fly back protection that conventional speakers require. In an embodiment, the speaker module 300 is substantially the same shape and size as the battery 200. In an embodiment, the speaker module 300 includes an adhesive on the side surface 302 b and/or the top surface 302 a.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a circuit board 400 is illustrated. Circuit board 400 may be mounted in a chassis such as, for example, the chassis 26 illustrated in FIG. 1. A plurality of speaker pin couplers 402 a and 402 b are located in a spaced apart relationship on the circuit board 400 and, in an embodiment, are coupled to a power source (not shown) which is coupled to the circuit board 400. A plurality of battery pin couplers 404 a and 404 b are located in a spaced apart relationship on the circuit board 400 and positioned adjacent the speaker pin couplers 402 a and 402 b. A storage device 406, which may be, for example, the mass storage device 18 illustrated in FIG. 1, is mounted to the circuit board 400 and, in an embodiment, is coupled to the battery pin couplers 404 a and 404 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 c and 6, in operation, the speaker module 300 is coupled to the base member 100. Speaker module 300 is positioned such that the side 302 b of speaker mount 302 is adjacent the bottom edge 102 b of the base member 102. The speaker module 300 may then be moved into the speaker chamber 110 such that the top surface 302 a on speaker mount 302 engages the speaker mounting lip 112. In an embodiment, with the top surface 302 a of the speaker mount 302 engaging the speaker mounting lip 112, the side surface 302 b on the speaker mount 302 is positioned above the vent apertures 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d, 114 e, 114 f, and 114 g. The speaker module 300 may then be coupled to the base member 100 by, for example, using adhesive on the top surface 302 a and/or the side surface 302 b of the speaker mount 302, and/or by using a mechanical fastener known in the art. Speaker leads 306 a and 306 b on speaker module 300 are then coupled to the electrical couplings 116 a and 116 b, respectively, on the base member 100 such that the speaker module 300 is electrically coupled to the speaker pins 116 aa and 11 6 ba.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 c, 5, and 7, the base member 100 is then coupled to the circuit board 400. Base member 100 is positioned over the circuit board 400 such that speaker pins 116 aa and 116 ba are lined up with speaker pin couplers 402 a and 402 b, respectively, and battery pins 108 aa and 108 ba are lined up with battery pin couplers 404 a and 404 b, respectively. Base member 100 is then lowered such that speaker pins 116 a and 116 ba engage and couple to speaker pin couplers 402 a and 402 b, respectively, battery pins 108 aa and 108 ba engage and couple to battery pin couplers 404 a and 404 b, and bottom edge 102 b of base member 100 engages circuit board 400. In an embodiment, bottom edge 102 b of base member 100 may be coupled to the circuit board 400 by a variety of means known in the art such as, for example, an adhesive and/or mechanical fastener. In an embodiment, with the base member 100 coupled to the circuit board 400, the electrical couplers 108 a and 108 b on base member 100 are electrically coupled to the storage device 406 and the speaker 300 is electrically coupled to a power source which is coupled to the circuit board 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a, 3 a, 3 b, and 8, the battery 200 is coupled to the battery socket on base member 100. Side surface 200 c of battery 200 is positioned adjacent the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c, with bottom surface 200 b on battery 200 engaging top support surface 102 a on base member 100. The battery 200 is then moved towards the securing tabs 104 b and 104 c such that securing tabs 104 b and 104 c engage top surface 200 a of battery 200 and side surface 200 c of battery 200 engages the arms 108 bb and 108 bc of electrical coupler 108 b. Battery 200 is then engaged with the resilient coupling tabs 106 a and 106 b which, in response to engagement with the bottom surface 200 b of battery 200, resiliently bend out of the way of battery 200 and allow bottom surface 200 b of battery 200 to engage electrical coupler 108 a. Battery 200 is coupled to the battery socket on base member 100 when resilient coupling tabs 106 a and 106 b engage the top surface 200 a of battery 200. The biasing of distal end 108 ab on electrical coupler 108 a and the arms 108 bb and 108 bc of electrical coupler 108 b provides contact between the side surface 200 c of battery 200 and the electrical coupler 108 b and the bottom surface 200 b of battery 200 and the electrical coupler 108 a, resulting in the electrical coupling the battery 200 to the storage device 406.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. 

1. A battery and speaker mounting apparatus comprising: a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a support surface on the base member; and a speaker chamber defined by the base member and separated from the battery socket by the support surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery socket includes a plurality of battery coupling members for coupling a battery to the base member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery socket in includes a plurality of electrical couplers operable to electrically couple a battery to the base member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support surface is a top surface of the base member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the speaker chamber is positioned beneath the battery socket.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: at least one vent aperture defined by the base member and positioned adjacent the speaker chamber.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base member is substantially cylindrical.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the battery socket has substantially the same diameter as the speaker chamber.
 9. A battery and speaker mounting apparatus comprising: a base member including a battery socket positioned adjacent a top support surface of the base member; a speaker chamber defined by the base member and positioned beneath the battery socket; a battery operable to couple to the base member by engaging the battery socket; and a speaker module coupled to the base member and housed in the speaker chamber.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the battery socket includes a plurality of battery coupling members for coupling a battery to the base member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the battery socket in includes a plurality of electrical couplers operable to electrically couple a battery to the base member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: at least one vent aperture defined by the base member and positioned adjacent the speaker chamber.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the base member is substantially cylindrical, whereby the battery socket has substantially the same diameter as the speaking chamber.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the battery comprises a CMOS battery.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the speaker module comprises a piezo speaker.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the battery has substantially the same diameter as the speaker module.
 17. An information handling system comprising: a circuit board; a storage coupled to the circuit board; a base member mounted to the circuit board and including a battery socket operable to couple a battery to the base member; a speaker chamber defined by the base member and positioned adjacent the battery socket; and a speaker module coupled to the base member and housed in the speaker chamber.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the battery socket in includes a plurality of electrical couplers operable to electrically couple a battery to the storage.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the battery socket is positioned on a top surface of the base member.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the speaker chamber is positioned beneath the battery socket.
 21. The system of claim 17 further comprising: at least one vent aperture defined by the base member and positioned adjacent the speaker chamber.
 22. The system of claim 17 wherein the speaker module comprises a piezo speaker.
 23. The system of claim 17 further comprising: a battery engaging the battery socket and coupled to the base member.
 24. A method for mounting a battery and a speaker in an information handling system comprising: providing a circuit board including a storage coupled to the circuit board; providing a base member including a battery socket and defining a speaker chamber positioned adjacent the battery socket; coupling a speaker module to the base member and housed in the speaker chamber; and mounting the base member to the circuit board.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising: coupling a battery to the base member by engaging the battery with the battery socket, whereby coupling the battery to the base member electrically couples the battery to the storage. 